Press Release – AUSTIN (December 20, 2016)—Today, the owners of ThunderCloud Subs presented Caritas of Austin, a local nonprofit that supports Austin’s working poor and homeless people, with a check for $330,000, the proceeds raised at the 26th annual ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot held on Thanksgiving Day.

This is the second largest donation to Caritas in the Trot’s 26-year history (the largest was $335,000 in 2014.) ThunderCloud donates all of the proceeds from the annual event directly to Caritas. This year’s donation brings the cumulative total raised for Caritas to more than $3.1 million— $3,113,375 to be exact.

The ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot, Austin’s beloved Thanksgiving tradition, is the largest five-mile run in Texas and also includes a one-mile walk and a Kids’ K that all take place outside the Long Center for the Performing Arts. Nearly 20,000 people participated this year.

“We are honored to receive the continued support of the Austin community for our event and for Caritas of Austin,” says Mike Haggerty, co-owner of ThunderCloud Subs, run director for the Trot, and board member emeritus of Caritas.

The money raised at the event each year helps Caritas achieve its mission, according to Jo Kathryn Quinn, executive director. The proceeds from this year’s event will fund a variety of programs, and specifically the $330,000 will help Caritas end homelessness for more than 100 families, serve more than 85,000 meals in their community kitchen, or move 20 chronically homeless individuals off the streets and into permanent housing with support services for an entire year. “These are just a few examples of the positive, tangible impact ThunderCloud Subs’ support has on the entire Austin community,” Quinn says.

“Caritas of Austin is incredibly grateful for the continued support of ThunderCloud Subs for the past 26 years. The money raised at the ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot each year is critical to Caritas’ work helping thousands of individuals and families achieve self-sufficiency,” says Quinn.

“We are proud to be a part of the ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot, and want to not only thank the ThunderCloud Subs staff and volunteers, but also the participants, who continue to make this event a success,” Quinn says.